Guidance for the Community and Voluntary Sector
Guidance for the Community and Voluntary Sector registering with the OISC as well as information on the new EU Settlement Scheme registration
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Providing immigration advice and services
OISC Level 1 EU Settlement Scheme
Providing immigration advice and services
In order to provide legal advice and services relating to a person’s immigration status, you need to be regulated by the OISC or another legal services regulator. The OISC regulates organisations and within regulated organisations we authorise advisers to practice at three different Levels (Levels 1-3). Which Levels advisers are authorised at depends on the nature and complexity of the work they wish to undertake.
Advisers authorised at Level 1 can give basic advice and assistance, for example in relation to naturalising as a British citizen. Those authorised at Level 2 can give advice and assistance in relation to more complex issues, for example asylum applications or where the client is an undocumented migrant, Level 3 is the highest level and amongst other things, allows advisers to assist clients with appeals. Read the Guidance on Competence for full details of work permitted at each Level.
Where organisations only provide advice on a very particular aspect of immigration law, the OISC may authorise advisers to provide immigration advice and services only in this specific area. The OISC may also allow some advisers to practice at a Level in which they are not yet authorised while they are training under agreed supervision arrangements.
Because we recognise that deciding what type of regulation will best suit your organisation is potentially complex and you may be unsure if you need regulation at all, we have set up a team to help non-commercial advice agencies considering registration. You can contact them at VSS@oisc.gov.uk for advice about the regulation process, if you are considering applying or working on your application. The Three Step Guide to Regulation is primarily for such organisations and we hope it will, along with our Key Stages and Frequently Asked Questions documents, help you to understand the OISC application process and address any concerns you might have.
OISC Level 1 EU Settlement Scheme
Level 1 Immigration (limited to the EU Settlement Scheme registration), is for not for profit or charitable organisations that intend to offer their clients advice and services in this area only and can offer free advice and services or charge only a modest fee to contribute to the running of the organisation.
If your organisation would like to apply, please complete the OISC Level 1 Immigration (limited to the EU Settlement Scheme), application form, a new adviser application and competence statement EU Settlement Scheme for each new adviser you would like to include as part of the application.
Please read further guidance on this process before submitting your application.
The OISC also provides you with model documents to assist you with the application for registration for the OISC Level 1 Immigration Limited to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Please read further guidance on obtaining a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check when registering a new adviser with the OISC.
Once you have completed the form you should send it to the OISC using OneDrive. This can be done by using this link.
Organisations that wish to operate on a for profit basis to provide advice and services on the EU Settlement Scheme should apply for registration with the OISC at Level 1 Immigration which will enable them to provide advice and services across the full range of immigration matters.
Last updated 1 April 2022 + show all updates
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Reference to the role of the new Customer Service Unit.
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Fixed link
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Updated to include information on The OISC Level 1 Immigration (limited to the EU Settlement Scheme registration) programme
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First published.